Read the outcome of this meeting here.
Wednesday has the chance to mark a turning point for the AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act.
The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce outlined that H.R. 979, which proposes to require the secretary of transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles, will be seventh on a list of seven items to be considered.
Politico first reported the planned consideration.
Observers expect the committee to approve the item, and if so, the next step is to send it to the full House for consideration.
The legislation would require the secretary of transportation to conduct a rulemaking proceeding — to be completed within one year — to mandate that AM receivers be included in all vehicles sold in the U.S. as a standard feature, without any additional cost to new car buyers.
Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) introduced the legislation in the House. The bill has 298 cosponsors — 150 Republicans, 148 Democrats.
Before reaching the House floor, it typically goes through the House Rules Committee, which sets the terms for debate. Once that’s done, it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House.
In the Senate, the bill was placed on its legislative calendar and has yet to receive further scheduling.
The National Association of Broadcasters said that during the August congressional recess, members of Congress “heard from their constituents” about the importance of preserving AM radio in cars. NAB said that resulted in 20 members of the U.S. House pledging their support behind the proposed legislation.
The hope from the bill’s advocates is that the bipartisan support will carry the legislation to the president’s desk before the end of the year.
The AM Radio legislation was previously passed by the Senate Commerce Committee in July 2023 and the House Energy and Commerce Committee in September 2024. But the congressional year ended without the bill’s advancement.
